Ascending: rising or increasing to higher levels, values, or degrees
Butterflies: The change from caterpillar though to the chrysalis and emergence as a butterfly is the greatest change in the animal world. It symbolises significant change in the course of one’s life, personality or way of thinking.
Putting them together brings us on an upwards journey of change and transformation, isn't that what we all strive for?

Monday, July 11, 2016

Happy Summer Butterflies! Have you entered our first giveaway in our "Summer of Memories" promotion yet? No? Then get on that NOW!

My summer has been a mixed bag of *ish to be honest. Some Major Appliances decided to ALL die on me at once including my air conditioner in the middle of a heat wave (No Bueno), My Washer AND my Refrigerator. Not sure how I am going to magically replace all three of them. Let's see I'm already wearing three hats - Life/Career Coach, Social Media Consultant and Writing, I may have to take on a FOURTH job, LOL!

And life has had the nerve to get in the way of my normally daily blogging routine.

So there it is! Those are just part of the challenges I have been facing and it's been making it super hard to get focused, back into my writing and concentrate.

I have attended some amazing events whose recaps are long overdue. But I am sure if I hustle to put everything I experienced into one post in an effort to get them covered and keep it moving, that important things will slip through the cracks.

And with some major shows where so much ground gets covered that is all to easy to do.

That being said I decided to cut up my recaps into smaller bits and poignant moments.

This the 11th year of the show and they always host a blogger preview night that is hosted by the amazing James Vincent - he goes through which trends we should be looking for during the show and concludes by going through each item in the Blogger Swag Bag (a Bag which I promise will get a post of it's own). There are some amazing beauty brands that come through each year, so when James dissects the bag and what's in it and WHY, there are always a ton of 'oohs and aaahs' - this year he presented a brand that made the room literally go quiet. It wasn't 'silent awe'. Attendees weren't awestruck. I think they were a bit 'under-whelmed' to be frank. It's an ugly side of blogging I don't like to be honest. A bit of the 'bougies' is what it was.

And that made James decide to give us all some history on how he began to work with the brand and what he admires about them like their "The Body Shop Foundation" which supports a wide variety of causes including Animal Protection, Human Rights and Environmental Protection.

MY TAKE:

I love that James supported The Body Shop. The Makeup Show is about real MUA sharing real tips and tricks. A good bag has a wide variety of products in a wide variety of price ranges.

That "Keep it Real folks moment" was my personal favorite from the preview night. One of many I plan to feature (slowly but surely as my schedule permits).

And by the way I am totally digging The Body Shop MORINGA Softening Body Butter that was included in The Makeup Show Blogger Swag Bag. It offers 24 hour Intense Moisture for Dry Skin with Seed Oil from Hand-Picked Moringa. I love the light floral scent and rich intense hydration, especially on my hands which seems to soak up everything I use on them in an instant.

Remember blogging buddies, it's not the amount of the swag or the amount the swag costs, it's the *usefulness* of it!

This Body Butter has a familiar scent I can't place, if any of you out there have already tried it and can place what this is reminding me of, please let me know with a comment here or tagging me via social. (I swear it's been driving me nuts that I can't figure out what this smells like to me). I am picking up a white floral scent but it reminds me of something and I can't figure out what.

More Show Highlights, Makeup and the Swag I was blessed to receive, either in swag bags or at vendor booths to come.

Happy #MakeupMonday to my Beauty Babes out there and Happy #MotivationMonday too!

What is your favorite 'budget friendly' Beauty Find?

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated Post, and as always ALL opinions are 100% my own! Press Passes to The Makeup Show New York were provided for Editorial Consideration. A Swag Bag was provided and this product was in that bag. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

@Jeannette - It should always be what I call a 'light pick me up'. I don't think anyone has the time to do what I call a full face daily, but a tinted moisturizer (you have to mouisturize daily) with an SPF covers so much ground, lip gloss (if you have a second and can use a lip liner with it, it gives your lips a more 'defined' look - never know when you end up in an impromptu summer photo) and either mascara if your lashes are short or liner if your lashes are OK, literally all under five minutes and perk up your face!

This sounds like an amazing event to go to if you want to learn more about the beauty products that we have in the market. I'm sure it was an awesome learning experience for everyone who went! I'm glad you're enjoying your goodie bag!

@Amanda It is a trade show so it's demographic are makeup artists and industry pros. Trade are there to bring it publicity. Thankfully there are classes for all levels of experience, I've attended for so many years now I feel like a pro myself! I'm even getting better with doing my own smoky eye! :-)

@Becca I say 'keep it natural' for the day to day so that when you do go more dramatic for a special event people notice. I can't do a full face everyday, but I like learning the tips and tricks that pros use to make it easier, faster and last longer (setting sprays are EVERYTHING!)

@Kristi - Thanks for the heads up! Good Looking Out! I have never tried the hairbrush from The Body Shop. I will have to pick one up! I really like the one that Mirta De Perales sells and I also like having a good Mason Pearson Boar Bristle Brush in my arsenal as well.

Even though it has been ages since I've used any of their products, I've always thought they were a popular brand. That's why I'm surprised to hear that it didn't pan out well at the beauty event. Some of my favorite budget friendly beauty brands are Acura and Pacifica. My favorite facial mask is under $10: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Facial Mask.

@Hil'Lesha It was really a case of the bougies, to that point the items presented were a bit pricier. I haven't tried Acura or Pacifica's facial mask I will check them out! (I like Borghese's Fango and Kate Sommervile's Clearing Mask)

Im sorry that you are having a tough summer. I know what you mean on appliances. We had the washer go out one summer and was able to finally replace it. Then our dryer went out. Thankfully, we got another dryer from my MIL because she wanted a new set.

My budget friendly tip, is to try out these subscription box services. I love them and have received a ton of great makeup I normally wouldn't try because of money. The samples are pretty nice sized and last a long time.

I'm not a pro makeup girl but I get giddy when I see makeup and anything beauty related. I'm sure I would have enjoyed the Makeup Show! One of my favorite product from the Body Shop is their body butter. Especially the Mango body butter.

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About Me:

Ascending Butterfly is a LIFESTYLE Blog. While it's Founder/Editor is in full possession of a Uterus, she doesn't choose to use it, keep that in mind before hitting send on your next pitch. We focus on Travel, Spirits, All things Foodie, Photography, Beauty, Fashion, Eco Friendly, with a mind, body,and soul approach to wellness and well-being.